Haryana CM Saini pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], October 30 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at an event to mark his birth anniversary, 31st October which is celebrated as National Unity Day.
"It is a proud day for us as we celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel tomorrow. The entire country along with Haryana is commemorating this day as 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' and conducting 'Run for Unity'. India is reaping the benefits of the many decisions he took...I also extend my good wishes to everyone on this festival of Diwali. I pray to Lord Ram to bless us to make a strong Haryana. PM Modi gave true tribute to Sardar Vallabhai Patel by making the Statue of Unity," the Haryana CM said.
Earlier in the day, Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda took the 'oath of unity', organised as part of National Unity Day.
Speaking at the pledge event held in Nirman Bhawan in New Delhi, Minister Nadda recounted the efforts of Patel to unite India into a nation.
"We should always be grateful to him and remember him with gratitude because he made a great contribution to his independence. But after independence, the 28 states with 8 union territories, this united India, this one India, is because of him," Nadda said.
"Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel dedicated himself to the freedom movement, spent his entire life and later he became the Prime Minister and united all the 562 small and big states in a very short time," Nadda added.
Additionally, on October 29, Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off the 'Run for Unity' organized in New Delhi as part of the National Unity Day.
Several dignitaries including Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Vinay Kumar Saxena were present on the occasion.
In his address, the home minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had decided to organize the 'Run for Unity' in 2015 in memory of the great leader Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to make the country pledge for the unity and integrity of the country, as per a statement from Ministry of Home Affairs.
Meanwhile, BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan accused the Congress party of attempting to suppress and repress the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for decades. He stated that while the Congress party had historically wronged and sidelined the great legacy of the illustrious Sardar Patel, it is our Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji who has rectified the historical sins of the Congress party and ensured Sardar Patel's contribution has been given it's rightful due and respect. (ANI)